BOXING Holyfield V: Final chapter slated to begin on Aug. 18

The 43-year old former champion is making another comeback.
DALLAS (AP) -- Evander Holyfield is 43. He hasn't fought in nearly two years, hasn't won in more than four, and hasn't been the heavyweight champ in six years.
So?
Here's the timeline he considers more relevant: His contract to box for Don King expired about two weeks ago, he was licensed to box in Texas last week and, on Thursday, he announced the start of his latest comeback bid, an Aug. 18 fight against journeyman Jeremy Bates.
"I actually believe I can whoop anybody," Holyfield said at a news conference featuring local fighters on the undercard, but not his opponent. "I'm ready. ... Sure as I sit here today, I will be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world."
Now working for his own company, Real Deal Events, his return to the ring after a 21-month absence is being hyped as "Holyfield V, The Final Chapter."
Wants fifth title
Holyfield quickly notes there are many pages in a chapter -- and this one won't end until he gets his fifth heavyweight title. He's already the only person ever to claim it four times.
"If this was one fight, it'd be the final page," Holyfield said. "Whatever it takes to fulfill that chapter, that's what it is."
Looking fit, albeit wearing a suit, Holyfield proudly said he hasn't stopped working out during the longest layoff of his career. He even joked it made him angry about to pay people to train him without having a payday in sight.
"I was thinking, 'I'm doing all this work for nothing,"' he said, pretending to cry.
The layoff was caused by several things, starting with a three-bout losing skid, also the longest of his career, and a 2-5-2 mark since 1999. His last loss, a unanimous decision that wasn't even close against Larry Donald in November 2004, prompted New York officials to revoke his boxing license because of "diminished skills and poor performance."
Medical suspension
Holyfield received a medical suspension that blocked him from fighting anywhere in the country. It was later changed to a ban in the state of New York.
With his reputation reeling, fights were talked about but never finalized. Holyfield said King wasn't interested in anything less than a blockbuster, leaving him to "sit on the shelf."
Holyfield also said he believes bum shoulders have been behind his slide. He's had two operations on the left shoulder and one on the right, but never gave them enough time to heal, which only made it worse.
"I was stubborn," he said. "I was actually thinking I could handle the pain and beat these guys. I thought 60 percent of me was better than them. But they proved me wrong."
Now?
"My arm can jump and bounce," he said, showing off a few moves.
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